Vessels
The construction of an offshore wind farm requires the use of many different vessels working together. Sheringham Shoal has seen a fleet of different sized and shaped vessels carry out the different aspects of the offshore construction.
Starting with relatively small marine mammal and ornithological survey boats in 2004, the site has since seen an array of vessels including:
| Nordnes: | Using a precision technique the bulk carrier Nordnes placed rocks around the site of 79 of the 90 foundation locations to reduce the likelihood of scour and therefore protect the cables when they are installed.
Length: 164m Load capacity: 24,000 tonnes Width: 26m Loaded speed: 12 knots |
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| Aura and Toisa Sonata: |
The Aura and Toisa Sonata originally brought the monopile foundations and transition pieces to the site from Vlissingen in the Netherlands. The "Aura” carried two foundations each voyage while the “Toisa Sonata” carried only the one.
Aura: Length: 95m Width 13m Toisa Sonata: Length: 87m Width: 19m |
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| Team Oman: | Operated by contractor Visser and Smit, the Team Oman is a dynamic positioning vessel with a 3,400 tonne lift capacity with the responsibility for laying both the export and infield cables at Sheringham Shoal. |
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| Oleg Strashnov: | The 100m high self-powered heavy-duty floating crane Svanen, started the foundation installation work in 2010 but in 2011 was replaced by Oleg Strashnov, a state-of-the-art crane vessel designed for heavy lifting operations.
The Oleg Strashnov, operated by Seaway Heavy Lifting, placed both 1000 tonne substations on top of their foundations and completed the installation of the 90 turbines
Length: 183m Width: 47m Crew: 150 |
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| Endeavour SEA JACK and Leviathan |
The GMS Endeavour is a self-propelled jack-up barge built in 2010, and operated by Gulf Marine Services. The Endeavour can accommodate around 60 people on board, and specialises in turbine transportation and installation, carrying two turbines to the site at a time.
Four legs each: 94.2m
In mid-2011 she was joined by the 91m SEA JACK, a self-elevating platform vessel and then in early 2012, SEA JACK was replaced by state-of-the-art, self-propelled 76m jack-up vessel Seajacks Leviathan, owned by Great Yarmouth-based firm Seajacks and operated out of the local port. |
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| Wind Ambition | To accommodate many of the wind farm construction workers, the floating hotel (or floatel), Wind Ambition was brought to the site in early June 2011. With a crew of 39, the vessel has 137 cabins each with a bathroom, internet connection and TV. Facilities on board include: reception; general lounge; games, fitness and conference rooms; a cinema, TV lounge and offices.
In February 2012, she was replaced by the 145m Regina Baltica. Around 100 workers at a time are based on the vessel during their work rotations, generally a fortnight onboard and a fortnight onshore. The vessel facilities include single-berth cabins, coffee shop, restaurant, a swimming pool, conference and meeting rooms, lounge areas and a sun deck. |
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